Letters to the Editor August 25, 2008

We recognize that politicians, the media and even some black people of this town go out in search for the so-called black leader in Alton to opine on different subjects that are happening in the black community. But let me make this very clear, he does not exist.

We can’t endure people choosing our black leaders, which actually serve to undercut the true leaders that will stand up and fight our rights. Those people’s choices always serve someone else’s purpose, not our own. Our leaders won’t be chosen by white acclimation or even a panel. The community does not need overarching leaders, it just needs leaders providing leadership!

ABE LEE BARHAM JR. Alton

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So, Sen. John Edwards admitted to an affair. So what? To me, a love affair between two consenting adults, one of whom has a powerful position of public responsibility, should in no way disqualify that person for that office.

Look at our history. George Washington was in love with his best friend’s wife. We know about Jefferson. Alexander Hamilton had a mistress. President James A. Garfield was reputed to have been in a menage a trois. General Patton was active in the extracurricular bedroom. Warren Harding fathered a child with his secretary in the White House office. Franklin Roosevelt ranked high on this list. Probably Eisenhower also. So did John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. Nixon was reputed to have had an affair with a Southeast Asian barmaid. George H.W. Bush has also been accused. We know about Bill Clinton. These people still mostly carried out their public duty as required.

How much genuine talent has been lost because capable people with a history of extracurricular liaisons did not want to be under scrutiny by the press? Gary Hart was forced out of public life because the press hounded him until they caught him in a compromising situation. His subsequent writings have shown what a great talent was lost.

Don’t get me wrong. Edwards remained in the presidential race, knowing his past would surely come back to haunt him. Had he gotten the nomination, this would have derailed any chance the Democrats had of winning the White House.

On the other hand, our nation is an American theocracy anointed with hypocrisy. Many of those pointing fingers, especially on the Christian right, probably have much worse skeletons in the closet. Many religious types have been caught in pedophilia and with prostitutes. Many of the rest are probably considering it.

As long as a person’s private life does not interfere with his or her public duty, it should not be an issue.